Earlier today, Addy Wiley, a former distance running prep standout and TSR's top-ranked NAIA runner, announced that she was turning pro and signing a contract with Adidas. According to David Woods of the Indy Star, Wiley will be coached by Lauren Johnson, her former coach at Huntington.
As a senior in high school, Wiley emerged as one of the greatest prep distance runners ever, breaking the American high school record over 1600 meters with a jaw-dropping time of 4:26.16. The Indiana native had originally committed and signed with the University of Colorado, but made a last minute change to join NAIA program, Huntington University, which was closer to home.
Wiley's first year as a collegiate was initially surrounded by controversy, albeit not specific to her. In October of 2022, David Woods of the Indy Star reported serious allegations pertaining to former Huntington distance coaches, Nick Johnson and Lauren Johnson.
Lauren Johnston had a prior relationship with Wiley, coaching her during the summer months and pacing her en route to her 1600-meter high school national record.
During her short time as a collegiate, Wiley went from being an elite high school talent to an elite collegiate star. This past summer, after placing 5th in the 1500-meter finals at the USA Championships, the Indiana native threw down incredible times of 1:57.64 for 800 meters and 3:59.17 for 1500 meters, both times being run overseas.
The former mark puts Wiley at No. 2 all-time for the collegiate outdoor 800 meters on the "all dates" list (behind only Athing Mu, who had four marks faster than that) while the latter mark gave her the fastest 1500-meter time ever posted by a collegiate on the "all-dates" list.
However, with neither of those times being posted during the collegiate season, Wiley's marks won't officially count towards the all-time collegiate record books.
In total, Wiley amassed eight national titles at the NAIA level. Five of those championship wins came at the 2023 NAIA Indoor Championships as Wiley took home wins in the 600 meters, the 800 meters, the mile, the 3000 meters and the DMR.
Now, Wiley will turn pro with Adidas, a shoe brand that recently signed Katelyn Tuohy to a pro contract back in December, as well as Eliud Kipsang.